The 10 Most Useful Connected Device Apps

Recently, the NPD Group, a research firm,
released the Connected TV User Experience Report, in which 3,800 respondents answered questions
about video apps that are used with connected TV. 75% of those polled stated
that they believe such apps are “extremely” or “very important.”

In addition to importance, other metrics examined were the
choice of device used (TV, gaming console, blu-ray player, set-top box, etc.),
as well as app features and user satisfaction.

“As new consumers acquire and begin using connected TV
devices they are going to be looking for a broader array of network TV apps. As
long as they can find and use new apps easily we expect network apps to become
a destination for viewers looking for their favourite show,” said
John Buffone, executive director, Connected Intelligence.

The following video apps were highlighted as the top 10 most useful and desirable (starting with the most popular):

Netflix began their streaming service in 2007 with an
Internet Explorer plugin; in July 2008, they revealed an exclusive Xbox LIVE
app and soon thereafter developed an iPad app in only 60 days. It’s now
available on PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, tablets and various connected TVs, providing
access to tens of thousands of movies and television show episodes.

The YouTube app allows a user to watch videos, just like on
the website. The program offers an interface that lets one search for something
new while still streaming content, and also ensures that playlists, favorites
and the history is quick to find.

In addition to providing local weather conditions and
outside temperature, The Weather Channel app serves up hourly and daily
forecasts (up to 10 days), as well as window, dew point, humidity, pressure and
UV and pollen indices. Weather-related news alerts and stories also appear.

Hulu’s subscription service allows users to view TV and film
content on their second-screens for a monthly fee, but starting summer 2014
limited access to free mobile content will be made available. The company plans
on utilizing an advertising system that allows viewers to order within the app
itself, e.g. one could order a pizza while viewing a show.

Created by the History channel, this app provides full
episodes, clips, web originals and videos from their programming library. It
can be found on iOS and Android devices, as well as Roku, Xbox One and Apple
TV.

If you have an Amazon Prime account, you also have free access
to thousands of video titles via Amazon’s Instant Video library, including
in-season television shows and original content. If you do not have Amazon
Prime, you can still watch the videos, but you’ll have to fork over some cash
per title. The app can be pulled up on Google TV, iOS, Kindle Fire, Xbox One, PS4 and numerous smart TVs and
DVRs.

At the end of April, Amazon announced
an exclusive deal with HBO. As of May 21, Prime users are able to stream
select HBO series, including The Wire, The Sopranos and Rome, as part of the
program.

Public broadcaster PBS has released quite a few apps for
mobile usage, including ones just for kids and specific for certain
programming. The apps, designed for iOS devices because Android is “too complicated,” include ones related to PBS Newshour, Antiques Roadshow, the
Dinosaur Train and a general purpose PBS app for watching programs and videos.

ESPN subscribers can utilize their app on smartphones,
tablets, Xbox, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices. Live streaming across
ESPN networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU and more is featured, as
well as live sporting events and shows such as SportsCenter.